Chapter 8 #3
“We think it’s the kingpins of the cartel,” he confirmed. “Screw the amount of money it would take to build, but to keep it under the radar of law enforcement and local military? Not to mention how to maintain infrastructure and support however many who live on the grounds.”
I shook my head. Still no words. I was in shock.
That was where Shay was being held captive. That was where River, Reese, and Greer were trying to win a battle?
Colt leaned in and kissed my temple. “I have to get back to my screen, baby.”
I nodded dumbly.
I let Colt do his thing after that. I returned outside eventually, and I could hardly take my eyes off him, but I didn’t disturb him.
I drank my coffee.
Ate my Twix.
I helped Kit get ready for bed.
We said goodnight to the Leroux-Hayles family.
Ash fell asleep with his head in Nathan’s lap on one of the sofas.
I drank more coffee.
Lane fell asleep snuggled up against Ty.
Tate and Kingsley actually returned downstairs, with blankets and pillows. Apparently, Tate had slept too restlessly, and he wanted to be close by if Colt heard anything.
Oh, I went for a second and a third chocolate bar…
I almost choked on a Snickers when Colt asked Ty to come over to him.
The two stared at the screen and spoke too quietly for me to hear. I noticed Kingsley and Nathan were observing them too.
Ty nodded thoughtfully, then pointed to the screen, his finger tracing something, following something that was moving.
For the love of God, put me out of my misery!
“Fast-forward again,” I heard Ty say.
Fast-forward? Had something been rewound? Was it a feed they recorded?
I took another bite of the chocolate and officially had my mouth full. I had hamster cheeks.
“Hold on—maybe that’s him.” Colt brought out his phone, and the display flashed to life. His look of concentration instantly morphed into a full-fledged grin, and the lit screen cast a pale blue glow across his teeth. “They fuckin’ made it, y’all. Everyone’s fine. Shay is fine.”
I sucked in a breath and shot right up, only to cough. Fucking hell, not the time to choke on a candy bar. I cleared my throat loudly and pressed a fist to my sternum, at the same time as everyone awoke from their slumbers and stalked over to Colt and Ty.
“Oh my God, are you serious?” Tate asked urgently.
Lane was quick to run over too. “What does the message say? Can I see?”
Ash yawned, then grinned lazily and stretched out his arms. “I wasn’t worried for a damn second.”
Kingsley and Nathan snorted at that.
“I’ll read it,” Colt chuckled. “‘A li’l fighter is wedged between two security guards. Everyone’s safe. Talk soon.’”
I couldn’t help it. My eyes welled up instantly, and I couldn’t describe the relief. My heart was suddenly pounding out of sheer joy—or adrenaline—and there was no stopping the tears that rolled down.
“Wait, what does that mean?” Tate demanded. “Security guards? Is that River and Reese?”
Yes. Yes, it was.
“Back in the day, River and Reese claimed they were security guards.” Colt shook his head in amusement and eyed the screen once more before he pocketed his phone. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, not even a popper could unclench my asshole this much.”
Ash and Kingsley let out laughs loud enough to flood the patio with happiness, and that might be what woke up Lucian and KC’s squad. Noa was the one who popped open the window on the second floor.
“You’re laughing!” he hollered. “Do you have good news?”
“Yes, we do, boy!” Colt called back. “Everyone’s safe!”
“Booyah!” Noa shouted. “Fuck yeah, fuck yeah, fuck yeah! Daddy, wake up!”
As if KC had slept through that?
Before I knew it, Colt pulled me in for a tight hug, and I laughed and gave up on drying my tears. My goodness, the relief. Shay was back with River and Reese. They’d done it. They had rescued him.
“I have no words,” I croaked, hugging him harder.
“Me either.” He pressed his lips to my temple. “Except one thing—Ty? You have a patent to apply for first chance you get.”
Ty rumbled a laugh but didn’t say anything. He had his hands full with his husband. Poor Lane was going to need to decompress for a long time.
Greer Finlay
A guy could get used to flying private.
I yawned and stretched out my legs.
Cullen was still snoring across the aisle.
I scrubbed my hands over my face.
My shoulders were stiff, but I couldn’t blame that on the flight. Or the fact that I was limping.
It’d get me a fuck-ton of body worship soon, though.
Minor injuries could work in my favor, in other words.
But I still wished the Tenleys were on the same flight as me. We’d essentially split into two groups. One was heading home, and the other was flying to Europe to rescue Marisa and little Blake. Their war wasn’t over—and Shay had refused to part with River and Reese.
I got it. I would’ve done the same thing.
At least they knew exactly where they were heading now, and Shay wasn’t going near danger. We’d see him in Mclean soon.
I yawned again and looked out my window.
Even better, we were landing in DC, which meant Cullen would go home and face our mother alone.
I smiled to myself.
Almost home.